#ThewRap: Things you need to know, July 14, 2017

Hello Rappler readers,

The Philippines remains the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders, according to the report, “Defenders of the Earth: Global killings of land and environmental defenders in 2016.”

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales told Japanese network NHK it was “not acceptable” for the President Rodrigo Duterte to threaten to kill criminals.

Human rights groups, western governments, and Chinese activists mourned the death of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, who lost his battle with terminal cancer while remaining in custody and under guard in a hospital in China.

Below are the big stories you shouldn’t miss.

Philippines remains deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders

According to a report by environmental monitor Global Witness, the Philippines remained the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders, with at least 28 killed in the country. The year 2016 was also the deadliest year for environmental defenders, according to the same report. 

Ombudsman calls Duterte’s ‘kill’ threats unacceptable

Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales took a stronger stance against President Rodrigo Duterte’s statements regarding killing criminals and drug users, calling the threats “not acceptable” in an interview with Japanese television network NHK.

China’s Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo dies

International human rights groups, western governments, and Chinese activists lamented the death of Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo from terminal cancer. The Nobel Committee, for its part, said China bore a “heavy responsibility” for his death.

Britain prepares for overhaul of legal set-up for Brexit

Britain began overhauling its legal set-up in time for Brexit, as a top official warned the government was woefully unprepared for withdrawal from the European Union.

Bureau of Corrections chief Benjamin de los Santos resigns

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Benjamin de los Santos tendered his irrevocable resignation to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday. In a text message to reporters, De Los Santos said, “Issue about resurgence of drug trade has made me irrelevant.”

FA50 fighter jets grounded following air strike friendly fire deaths

The Philippine military grounded its FA50 fighter jets pending an investigation into an air strike accident which killed two soldiers and injured 11 others. Air strikes using other aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, however, will continue.